Glued or heat-sealed cap for resealing test tubes for clinical analyses

ABSTRACT

This invention refers to a glued or heat-sealed cap for resealing test tubes for clinical analyses which can be easily perforated and permits the application of a second cap.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a cap for RESEALING test tubes forchemical analyses after they have undergone processing in automatic ormanual clinical chemical analyzers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that the analysis of bodily fluids usually takes place in ageneral clinical laboratory. The sample, for example, blood taken from avein, is collected in a test tube which is capped and labeled and thensent to a laboratory, where the contents are analyzed using suitableapparatuses, with or without the addition of reagents.

At this point the analysis could be considered terminated if challengesto or doubts regarding the results of the analyses did not arise in asignificant percentage of cases.

In fact, it may occur that analyses have to be repeated, which meansthat the sample must be preserved for a given number of days prior toits disposal. Samples may also be preserved in the event of contestationby patients or, more generally speaking, for medical-legal reasons.

Test tubes containing already analyzed samples, obviously without theoriginal seal, plug or screw cap, previously removed to enablepenetration of the sampling needle, are collected in multiple supportswhich are hastily packed and placed in special cold storagecompartments. Therefore, the prevention of fluid spills is left up tothe adherence of plastic wrap or precarious coverings wrapped all aroundthe support. The risk of spillage or leaks in the event of an accidentis thus very high, as is the risk of personnel being contaminated bysometimes dangerously infected samples.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To avoid this and other problems, a system has been devised to RESEALtest tubes of any type and size containing already analyzed samples,after the analysis itself and prior to storage, in order that the testtube container can be handled in complete safety. This solution isobviously also useful for the disposal of waste from hospitals orlaboratories which, when open test tubes are involved, can createhazards for personnel who manually transfer such products from thelaboratory to waste containers.

These and other aims are accomplished by the device of the presentinvention, basically consisting in a cap to be applied on the mouth ofthe test tube. The cap is composed of a piece of aluminum foil, whichmay be of different shapes, such as to adhere, following a heat sealingprocess, to the edge or side or both test tube surfaces, thereby sealingit perfectly. The adhesion of the aluminum cap to the glass or plasticof the test tube is achieved thanks to special adhesive lacquers presenton the contact surface of the aluminum foil. A similar lacquer can alsobe applied on the top surface of the cap so that in the unlikely, butnot impossible event of the sample undergoing further analyses, the sametest tube can again be perforated using the sampling needle and laterRESEALED.

In a second implementation of the invention, the sealed closure of thetest tube could be achieved using a paper, plastic or metal label and acold or hot gluing procedure. This solution is applicable, as previouslyillustrated, for the heat-sealing aluminum cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics will now be further clarified inrelation to a simple design configuration of the invention. Thedescription herein serves purely illustrative purposes and does notrestrict the scope of this patent. Reference is made to the encloseddrawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view approximately illustrating the sequence ofoperations.

FIGS. 2-4 are schematic views showing the aluminum foil, constitutingthe cap applied on a test tube, viewed in cross section and from above,in three different shapes.

FIGS. 5-7 are schematic view showing the layer of paper constituting thelabel applied on a test tube, viewed in cross section and from above, inthree different shapes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 indicates the test tube 1 containing the sample 2,3 and theoriginal cap. FIG. 1′ shows the test tube with its original cap removedso that the sampling needle 4 can penetrate it, and FIG. 1″shows theanalyzed test tube surmounted by cap 5. FIG. 1′″ shows the test tubeRESEALED by cap 5′, sealed and possibly moulded over the mouth.

The other figures indicate the container 6 of reseated test tubes readyfor refrigeration, the layer 7 of aluminum forming the body of the cap,the bottom layer 8 of lacquer, the ink layer 9 of the stamp, and the toplayer 8′ of lacquer.

The figures also indicate the paper or plastic label 10, the layer ofglue 11 on the underside, and the stamped ink layer 12.

1. An assembly used in clinical analysis comprising: a test tube havingan open mouth at one end and a side surface extending therefrom, saidopen end having an edge extending therearound; and an outer cap formedof a deformable aluminum foil positioned on said open mouth so as tocover said open mouth in gas-tight relationship therewith, said outercap wrapping around said side surface of said test tube adjacent saidopen mouth, said outer cap having an adhesive heat-sealed first lacqueron a surface of said foil in contact with said edge of said open mouthand with said side surface, said outer cap having a second lacquer on anopposite surface of said foil, said first lacquer being of a materialidentical to a material of said second lacquer, said second lacquerbeing in direct contact with said foil, said material of said firstlacquer being compatible with a material of said test tube, said outercap being entirely closed over an area defined by said edge of said openend.